分类： society

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A prominent Jamaican educational leader has issued a compelling call to dismantle persistent stereotypes surrounding technical and vocational education, tracing their origins to the island’s post-emancipation era. Dr Darien Henry, Principal of Montego Bay Community College, delivered this transformative message during the Institute of Vocational Education and Skills Training (INVEST) graduation ceremony held recently at Mount Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr Henry presented compelling evidence that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) has evolved into a demanding, industry-relevant, and globally competitive educational pathway. He highlighted the Caribbean Examinations Council’s modernization of technical programmes and HEART/NSTA Trust’s successful development of world-class chefs and highly skilled ICT professionals as testament to this transformation.

The educator identified the historical roots of what he termed a “psychological barrier” within Jamaica’s education system, explaining that following emancipation, debates within the colonial assembly revealed divergent views on education’s purpose. Some viewed education as means of intellectual advancement while others believed it should primarily prepare former slaves for continued labor within the plantation economy.

“This early utilitarian framing subtly positioned skills-based education as training for labour, while academic education became associated with leadership and governance,” Henry explained. “Though Jamaica has since modernised its technical and vocational pathways, remnants of that colonial hierarchy persist.”

Dr Henry proposed strategic solutions including harmonizing STEM disciplines with technical education, arguing that “the artificial separation between technical and academic disciplines no longer reflects the realities of modern industry.” He recommended that every secondary student pursue at least one technical subject alongside core academics, emphasizing six essential literacies: reading, writing, oral communication, numeracy, digital literacy, and scientific literacy.

Addressing Jamaica’s labor market challenges, Henry warned of a “structural mismatch” where employers report difficulty finding skilled workers while young people struggle to find stable employment. He revealed concerning statistics: only 15% of Jamaica’s workforce holds tertiary-level qualifications, and of approximately 28,000 students sitting CSEC examinations in 2025, only about 6,200 achieved five or more subjects with under half passing mathematics.

“If productivity is to increase, competence must increase,” Henry asserted, stressing the critical need for investment in high schools, community colleges, polytechnics, and teacher preparation institutions as automation and artificial intelligence reshape global workforce demands.

The ceremony celebrated graduates of the TUI Academy, a partnership between TUI Care Foundation and INVEST that has empowered over 120 western Jamaican youth with industry-aligned skills in tourism and hospitality. Henry urged graduates to view their certifications as foundations for continuous growth: “Technical excellence, pursued with seriousness and integrity, is intellectual excellence. A prepared workforce remains the foundation of a productive nation.”

South Florida’s vibrant Jamaican community has produced another distinguished figure recognized for his cultural contributions. Audley Rollen, a multifaceted artist, broadcaster, and spiritual leader, was recently celebrated by the City of Tamarac as one of its five 2026 Black History Month honorees. The ceremony, held at Tamarac City Hall on February 11, featured Mayor Michelle J. Gomez presenting the award to Rollen in recognition of his lifelong dedication to cultural preservation and community leadership.

Rollen’s journey to South Florida began over two decades ago when he relocated from Philadelphia, bringing with him an established musical career that originated in Jamaica. His artistic roots trace back to September 3, 1959, when he and his brother achieved national recognition as All Island Champions on the prestigious Vere Johns Opportunity Hour. This early success laid the foundation for a career that would span continents and decades.

Since settling in South Florida, Rollen has maintained his musical pursuits while expanding his influence through multiple channels. He operated a record store in Miami, continued recording music, and evolved into broadcasting and spiritual leadership. Today, he co-pastors Wisdom Sabbath Ministry in Plantation with his wife Dawn Marie Wisdom, while simultaneously hosting several programs on WAVS 1170 AM radio.

The Tamarac award holds particular significance given Rollen’s cultural background as a former committed Rastafarian whose early music included tracks like ‘Repatriation is A Must’ and ‘Hallelujah.’ This acknowledgment represents an international appreciation of his work that began on Jamaican soil 67 years ago. Rollen expressed feeling ‘deeply honored and humbled’ by the recognition, noting that it validates his decades of commitment to cultural preservation, mentorship, and spiritual leadership.

The 2026 Tamarac Black History Month recipients cohort includes other distinguished community figures such as attorney Kaysia Earley, Cheryl Holtz, choreographer Jimmy Locust, and entrepreneur Jimmy Pinchinat, collectively representing the diverse contributions of Black leaders in the South Florida community.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A comprehensive perception survey conducted by the Downtown Kingston Redevelopment Initiative (DKRI) reveals significant progress in urban revitalization efforts, with measurable improvements in cleanliness, safety, and business confidence across key downtown sectors. The six-month assessment, covering areas from Orange Street to East Street and Ocean Boulevard to Tower Street, demonstrates the tangible impact of targeted interventions in transforming the city’s commercial core.

Michael McMorris, DKRI Committee Chair and former Jamaica Chamber of Commerce President, characterized the findings as a definitive turning point for downtown Kingston. “The empirical data validates our on-ground observations: enhanced urban cleanliness directly influences public perception, mobility patterns, and commercial vitality. Environmental improvements catalyze economic confidence, which remains fundamental to revitalizing Kingston’s historic business district,” McMorris stated.

The dual-survey methodology captured perspectives from both business leaders and community stakeholders—including shoppers, residents, vendors, and workers—providing a holistic view of the initiative’s impact. Key metrics demonstrate remarkable progress: public cleanliness ratings surged from 39.6% to 58% within six months, while reports of environmental challenges plummeted from 48.6% to 23.3%.

Infrastructure and safety indicators showed equally promising trends. Business approvals of street lighting improved dramatically from 28.6% to 53.3%, while public safety confidence jumped from 49.5% to 73%. Confidence in policing effectiveness reached 81%, up from 72.3%, and positive perceptions of the overall business environment climbed from 45.5% to 61%.

Although the survey identified persistent sanitation issues, including localized sewage overflows, the report interprets these findings as evidence of heightened public expectations amid overall conditions improvement. McMorris emphasized that such feedback provides actionable intelligence for phase-two interventions.

The DKRI—a collaborative partnership between the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and Kingston Restoration Company, with funding from VM Building Society, Pan Jamaica, Scotiabank, and GraceKennedy—has launched the ‘Keep It Clean’ campaign to sustain momentum. This corporate citizenship initiative recognizes businesses demonstrating exceptional environmental stewardship through maintained shopfronts and sidewalks.

Approximately 30 enterprises have joined the campaign, including Broadbent’s Duke Street branch. Manager Karine Chuck noted, “Our participation reflects our corporate responsibility to enhance Kingston’s aesthetic appeal. The new receptacles and murals already create a more inviting atmosphere that attracts visitors and customers.”

Sherina Whyte, co-founder of Waah Gwaan Café, echoed this sentiment: “Community improvement directly benefits business vitality. We encourage broader participation—a superior environment advantages commerce, community, and national development alike.”

ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, a collaborative effort between local activism and military outreach has brought crucial support to a vulnerable student. Ten-year-old Tavoy Solomon, a Grade 3 student at Flanker Primary and Junior High, received a substantial cash grant and essential school supplies during a special devotion ceremony at his school last Wednesday.

The initiative was spearheaded by community activist and honorary Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) member Sandra Miller Hall, who partnered with the JDF Health Services Corps’ community outreach department. Tavoy’s situation became particularly dire following Hurricane Melissa, which exacerbated existing financial hardships for the youngster who resides with his grandmother, Violet Campbell, in the Flanker community.

Miller Hall, who had already been providing independent assistance to Tavoy, immediately recommended him when the JDF approached her to identify community members in need. “It was brought to my attention and it’s an ongoing thing that I am doing with him on my own,” Miller Hall explained to Online Observer. “When JDF asked me if I could find somebody [in need] as they had identified some cash, I identified Tavoy.”

Major Ryan Jarrett, a medical doctor and JDF officer, clarified that such humanitarian efforts represent standard practice for his department. “Within my department, which is the Health Services Corps, we have a community outreach program and this is one of those many events that we would normally do,” Major Jarrett stated.

The donation package included monetary assistance, educational materials, and recreational games designed to support Tavoy’s overall development. Violet Campbell, affectionately known as “Miss Vie,” expressed profound gratitude for the support, noting that although she hadn’t yet opened the envelope containing the cash grant, she knew it would “go a far way.”

School Principal Colette Barnes welcomed the intervention with visible emotion, acknowledging Tavoy’s challenging circumstances. “I am elated,” Barnes declared. “I have known about Tavoy for about two years so I know of his struggles. We are in the business of education and transforming lives through education, so whatever help we can get is appreciated.”

The military’s presence provided an unexpected educational dimension as students became fascinated by the soldiers’ visit and the accompanying helicopter. Barnes observed that the experience broadened students’ understanding of career possibilities within the military, with many expressing new interest in armed forces careers after learning that military personnel can pursue diverse professions including medicine, law, public health, and nursing.